Santa Cruz (Coimbra)
Encyclopedia
Santa Cruz is an urban-rural Portuguese
civil parish
in the municipality of Coimbra
. In 2001, its population was 6866 inhabitants, in an area of 5.56 km² that parallels the north (right) margin of the Mondego River, extending to the village of Adémia in Trouxemil (its density is approximately 1235 inhabitants per km²).
, Afonso Henriques moved the capital of the kingdom from Guimarães to Coimbra, a strategic location and point of departure for future incursions into the Muslim south.
Afonso Henriques sought the influential support of the Augustinian
canon
s, such as Dom
Telo, Dom Teotónio of Bragança and Dom João Peculiar, who from the Romanesque
Monastery of Santa Cruz, contributed to the transformation of the city into an important cultural nucleus of the kingdom. Constructed in an area outside the gates of the old city, from 1131, the old monastery was built in the area called Banhos Régios . The monastery, later, had an important influence on the diplomatic battle between Afonso Henriques, the Kingdom of Castile and León and the Holy See
for the recognition of Kingdom. The delimitation of the historical parochia of Santa Cruz actually occurred before the recognition of the Kingdom, around 1137-1139. The masters of the monastery, such as Fernando Martins de Bulhão (later Anthony of Padua
), helped motivate the cultural development of the nation's nobility, profoundly reformulated during the reign of Manuel I
.
King John III
developed the area of Santa Cruz by transferring, definitively, to Coimbra the University, under the administration of friar
Brás de Braga; this resulted initially in the construction of the Manga Garden, but was followed by the opening of the Rua da Sofia, which became the centre of many of the religious orders of the Kingdom. What followed was a period of construction, with establishment of many of the religious Colégios (colleges), such as the Colleges of São Miguel, Todos-os–Santos, São Bernardo, São Boaventura, São Domingos, São Tomás, Carmo, Graça and São Pedro), designed to mould members of the nobility and landed gentry. Its clerical beginnings was the basis for the civil parish coat-of-arms; this includes the books of Santa Cruz, the Crowns of the first Kings of Portugal, and the Holy Cross, representing its toponymy
.
In addition the historical Church of Santa Cruz , the Chapel of São João das Donas, Church of Santa Justa, the Madalena and Nova Fountains, Fonte da Madalena e Fonte Nova, Inquisition Courtyard, and many aspects of the medieval architectural motifs were first established during this period.
In Pedrulha, for example, there were a pillory Cross (from the 16th century), the Marco do Bolão, the Church of Nossa Senhora da Visitação, the Chapel of São Simão and Passarinhos Fountain (all created in the 17th century) were established during this period.
The existence of the Jewish quarter, within the limits of its territory (around Rua Nova) was a decisive factor in the development of the mercantile community (even as Manuel I
impeded their religious liberties). In the areas of Praça 8 de Maio, Rua da Louça, Rua da Moeda, Rua da Sofia, Pátio da Inquisição and Largo dos Oleiros the merchant classes thrived, resulting in the establishment of the Municipal Market, shops, banking institutions, offices, medical practives, bookstores, kiosks, café, restaurants and taverns.
, Santa Cruz is part of an integrated rural-urban environment that includes the principal parishes of the city of Coimbra
. It is surrounded by the civil parishes of São Bartolomeu, Santa Clara (both to the south), São Martinho do Bispo and Antuzede (in the west), Trouxemil (in the north), Eiras and São Paulo de Frades (in the east) and Santo António dos Olivias and Sé Nova (in the southeast).
The parish is intersected by several rivers, including: the Mondego River (which flows from the Serra da Estrela to Figueira da Foz
) through the parish, from Rua dos Oleiros until Choupal; the Ribeira de Coselhas (springing from the Serras do Roxo/Aveleira and exiting at the Rio Velho) and bisects east to west in the zone of Coselhas; the Vale do Norte, crosses the parish south to north around Campos do Bolão passing around Loreto in Pedrulha, before exiting in Adémia; the Ribeira do Vale Meão, which crosses from the Rego do Bonfim joining the Ribeira de Coselhas near Fucoli; and the Vala dos Frades, which parallels the rail-line and Vala do Norte, before joining it near Pedrulha.
The 2001 Census indicated an approximation of the 1920 total population, indicating a decrease in the local population during the 20th century, marked by the transformation of the historic centre of Coimbra's Baixa zone from residential to commercial usage, the ageing of the resident population and the abandonment of the urban infrastructures. In comparison, the daily population fluctuates with 50,000 day visitors, who work in the quarter.
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
civil parish
Freguesia
Freguesia is the Portuguese term for a secondary local administrative unit in Portugal and some of its former colonies, and a former secondary local administrative unit in Macau, roughly equivalent to an administrative parish. A freguesia is a subdivision of a concelho, the Portuguese synonym term...
in the municipality of Coimbra
Coimbra
Coimbra is a city in the municipality of Coimbra in Portugal. Although it served as the nation's capital during the High Middle Ages, it is better-known for its university, the University of Coimbra, which is one of the oldest in Europe and the oldest academic institution in the...
. In 2001, its population was 6866 inhabitants, in an area of 5.56 km² that parallels the north (right) margin of the Mondego River, extending to the village of Adémia in Trouxemil (its density is approximately 1235 inhabitants per km²).
History
After the Christian conquest from the MoorsMoors
The description Moors has referred to several historic and modern populations of the Maghreb region who are predominately of Berber and Arab descent. They came to conquer and rule the Iberian Peninsula for nearly 800 years. At that time they were Muslim, although earlier the people had followed...
, Afonso Henriques moved the capital of the kingdom from Guimarães to Coimbra, a strategic location and point of departure for future incursions into the Muslim south.
Afonso Henriques sought the influential support of the Augustinian
Order of Saint Augustine
The Order of St. Augustine —historically Ordo Eremitarum Sancti Augustini", O.E.S.A.), generally called Augustinians is a Catholic Religious Order, which, although more ancient, was formally created in the thirteenth century and combined of several previous Augustinian eremetical Orders into one...
canon
Canon (priest)
A canon is a priest or minister who is a member of certain bodies of the Christian clergy subject to an ecclesiastical rule ....
s, such as Dom
Dom (title)
Dom is a title of respect prefixed to the given name. It derives from Latin Dominus.It is used in English for certain Benedictine and Carthusian monks, and for members of certain communities of Canons Regular. Examples include Benedictine monks of the English Benedictine Congregation...
Telo, Dom Teotónio of Bragança and Dom João Peculiar, who from the Romanesque
Romanesque architecture
Romanesque architecture is an architectural style of Medieval Europe characterised by semi-circular arches. There is no consensus for the beginning date of the Romanesque architecture, with proposals ranging from the 6th to the 10th century. It developed in the 12th century into the Gothic style,...
Monastery of Santa Cruz, contributed to the transformation of the city into an important cultural nucleus of the kingdom. Constructed in an area outside the gates of the old city, from 1131, the old monastery was built in the area called Banhos Régios . The monastery, later, had an important influence on the diplomatic battle between Afonso Henriques, the Kingdom of Castile and León and the Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
for the recognition of Kingdom. The delimitation of the historical parochia of Santa Cruz actually occurred before the recognition of the Kingdom, around 1137-1139. The masters of the monastery, such as Fernando Martins de Bulhão (later Anthony of Padua
Anthony of Padua
Anthony of Padua or Anthony of Lisbon, O.F.M., was a Portuguese Catholic priest and friar of the Franciscan Order. Though he died in Padua, Italy, he was born to a wealthy family in Lisbon, Portugal, which is where he was raised...
), helped motivate the cultural development of the nation's nobility, profoundly reformulated during the reign of Manuel I
Manuel I of Portugal
Manuel I , the Fortunate , 14th king of Portugal and the Algarves was the son of Infante Ferdinand, Duke of Viseu, , by his wife, Infanta Beatrice of Portugal...
.
King John III
John III of Portugal
John III , nicknamed o Piedoso , was the fifteenth King of Portugal and the Algarves. He was the son of King Manuel I and Maria of Aragon, the third daughter of King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile...
developed the area of Santa Cruz by transferring, definitively, to Coimbra the University, under the administration of friar
Friar
A friar is a member of one of the mendicant orders.-Friars and monks:...
Brás de Braga; this resulted initially in the construction of the Manga Garden, but was followed by the opening of the Rua da Sofia, which became the centre of many of the religious orders of the Kingdom. What followed was a period of construction, with establishment of many of the religious Colégios (colleges), such as the Colleges of São Miguel, Todos-os–Santos, São Bernardo, São Boaventura, São Domingos, São Tomás, Carmo, Graça and São Pedro), designed to mould members of the nobility and landed gentry. Its clerical beginnings was the basis for the civil parish coat-of-arms; this includes the books of Santa Cruz, the Crowns of the first Kings of Portugal, and the Holy Cross, representing its toponymy
Toponymy
Toponymy is the scientific study of place names , their origins, meanings, use and typology. The word "toponymy" is derived from the Greek words tópos and ónoma . Toponymy is itself a branch of onomastics, the study of names of all kinds...
.
In addition the historical Church of Santa Cruz , the Chapel of São João das Donas, Church of Santa Justa, the Madalena and Nova Fountains, Fonte da Madalena e Fonte Nova, Inquisition Courtyard, and many aspects of the medieval architectural motifs were first established during this period.
In Pedrulha, for example, there were a pillory Cross (from the 16th century), the Marco do Bolão, the Church of Nossa Senhora da Visitação, the Chapel of São Simão and Passarinhos Fountain (all created in the 17th century) were established during this period.
The existence of the Jewish quarter, within the limits of its territory (around Rua Nova) was a decisive factor in the development of the mercantile community (even as Manuel I
Manuel I of Portugal
Manuel I , the Fortunate , 14th king of Portugal and the Algarves was the son of Infante Ferdinand, Duke of Viseu, , by his wife, Infanta Beatrice of Portugal...
impeded their religious liberties). In the areas of Praça 8 de Maio, Rua da Louça, Rua da Moeda, Rua da Sofia, Pátio da Inquisição and Largo dos Oleiros the merchant classes thrived, resulting in the establishment of the Municipal Market, shops, banking institutions, offices, medical practives, bookstores, kiosks, café, restaurants and taverns.
Geography
Located in the municipality of CoimbraCoimbra Municipality
Coimbra is a municipality in central Portugal, whose core is the city of Coimbra. It is in the district of Coimbra, being the principal centre in the Centro region, the seat of the Baixo Mondego subregion and former capital of Portugal during the Middle Ages...
, Santa Cruz is part of an integrated rural-urban environment that includes the principal parishes of the city of Coimbra
Coimbra
Coimbra is a city in the municipality of Coimbra in Portugal. Although it served as the nation's capital during the High Middle Ages, it is better-known for its university, the University of Coimbra, which is one of the oldest in Europe and the oldest academic institution in the...
. It is surrounded by the civil parishes of São Bartolomeu, Santa Clara (both to the south), São Martinho do Bispo and Antuzede (in the west), Trouxemil (in the north), Eiras and São Paulo de Frades (in the east) and Santo António dos Olivias and Sé Nova (in the southeast).
The parish is intersected by several rivers, including: the Mondego River (which flows from the Serra da Estrela to Figueira da Foz
Figueira da Foz Municipality
Figueira da Foz , also known as Figueira for short, is a municipality in the Coimbra District, in Portugal. It is located at the mouth of the Mondego River, 40 km west of Coimbra, and sheltered by hills ....
) through the parish, from Rua dos Oleiros until Choupal; the Ribeira de Coselhas (springing from the Serras do Roxo/Aveleira and exiting at the Rio Velho) and bisects east to west in the zone of Coselhas; the Vale do Norte, crosses the parish south to north around Campos do Bolão passing around Loreto in Pedrulha, before exiting in Adémia; the Ribeira do Vale Meão, which crosses from the Rego do Bonfim joining the Ribeira de Coselhas near Fucoli; and the Vala dos Frades, which parallels the rail-line and Vala do Norte, before joining it near Pedrulha.
The 2001 Census indicated an approximation of the 1920 total population, indicating a decrease in the local population during the 20th century, marked by the transformation of the historic centre of Coimbra's Baixa zone from residential to commercial usage, the ageing of the resident population and the abandonment of the urban infrastructures. In comparison, the daily population fluctuates with 50,000 day visitors, who work in the quarter.
Economy
Although economic activities are essentially commerce- or service-based, an extensive agricultural space (in the area of Campos do Bolão) and industrial zone (in Pedrulha) is established in the parish, which is supported by public transport, infrastructures and socio-cultural institutions.Architecture
Civic
- Arnado Bookstore
- Building of the CGD Caixa Geral de Depoistos
- Building of the CTT Correios, Telégrafos e Telefones
- Coimbra City Hall
- Inquisition Square
- D. Pedro Kiosk/Bar
- D. Pedro V Municipal Market
- Fountain of Madalena
- Fountain of the Jews
- Hospital de São Lázaro
- Hotel Tivoli
- Manga Cloister
- (Former) Santa Cruz Infirmary/Jaime Cortesão Secondary School
- (Former) Mirandas Pasta Factory
- (Former) Barn of Santa Cruz/PSP Quartel
Religious
- Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Vitória/Corpo de Deus
- Church of Carmo
- Church of Nossa Senhora da Graça
- Church of Santa Justa
- Church of São Domingos
- College of São Bernardo/Espirito Santo
- College of São Pedro dos Religious Terceiros
- Monastery of Santa Cruz , established by Saint TheotoniusTheotoniusTheotonius was an Augustinian canon and royal advisor. He is noted and famed in Portugal, for being the first Prior of the Monastery of the Holy Cross in Coimbra, Portugal...
and the Canons regularCanons RegularCanons Regular are members of certain bodies of Canons living in community under the Augustinian Rule , and sharing their property in common...
of Saint Augustine, around 1131, who supported the early aspirations of Portuguese monarchs; - Monastery of São João das Donas
- (Former) College of São Boaventura
- (Former) College of São Tomás